Thermal Conductors vs Insulators: What Keeps Heat In or Out

Thermal conductors let heat flow easily, while insulators resist heat flow.
Metals like copper and aluminum are excellent conductors thanks to their free electrons.
Materials like wood, rubber, and foam trap air, making them strong insulators.
A metal spoon in hot soup quickly warms, while a wooden spoon stays cool—perfect example.
Insulators keep houses warm in winter and cool in summer by slowing heat transfer.
Conductors are vital in cookware, wiring, and heat exchangers for fast energy flow.
Blankets, jackets, and thermos bottles rely on insulation to hold in body or food heat.
Conductors spread heat evenly in pans, preventing food from cooking unevenly.
Spacecraft use layered insulation to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures.
Whether you want to keep heat in or move it out, conductors and insulators are the key players.